Chapter 183 - 189: Instigate

Words : 1426 Updated : Oct 5th, 2025

The Li family hosted their second Core Formation Grand Ceremony, inviting all surrounding powers to attend the feast, but in reality, it was still confined to the influence of Shen Leishan. After all, the Li family only had two Golden Core cultivators, and their strength was limited; they didn’t have the clout to extend an invitation to the forces of Green Mountain State. Even if they weren’t affiliated with Shen Leishan, it wasn’t certain that they would have sent an envoy to attend the banquet. "Congratulations on forming your Golden Core and henceforth enjoying a lifespan of five hundred years," Jiang Tianming’s eyes flashed a dark light, but his face was full of smiles. Li Shilian replied with a smile, "The same to you. Your advancement in cultivation is indeed a joyous event. It’s just unfortunate that my family was preoccupied at the time and couldn’t attend your feast. I hope you understand." "It doesn’t matter, it was a trivial matter." While the two were chatting, Golden Core cultivators sent by Shen Leishan to attend the banquet arrived. After the exchange of congratulations and pleasantries, Li Shilian personally escorted them to the banquet area to wait for the start of the event. As Golden Core cultivators, they naturally arrived the latest, so they had just taken their seats when an assortment of Spiritual Objects began to be served. Compared to the Core Formation Grand Ceremony held for Li Shiqing, this one was noticeably more luxurious—various third-tier Spirit Fruits and Spiritual Wines filled the Golden Core tables, and even every cultivator was presented with a dish of second-tier Spirit Food. In previous years, Li Zhilou, who had achieved Foundation Establishment within the Li family, became a Spirit Chef. After some time spent learning and improving, he was now able to create second-tier Spirit Food with relative ease. The Spirit Food at the banquet was personally made by him, with full marks in colour, aroma, and taste, opening the appetites of many Foundation Establishment cultivators. From these small details, it was evident that in the past few years, the Li family had built up some foundational strength. Perhaps it wouldn’t be long before they transformed into a true Golden Core power. However, this situation was not something that everyone was happy to witness, particularly the cultivators who had come from the Yuanming Sect, who had the most displeased expressions. It was mainly because the Li family was too close to the Yuanming Sect; both powers sought to expand, inevitably overlapping and damaging the other’s interests. Perhaps the Yuanming Sect did not expect that, having just eliminated their arch-enemy, the Green Sword Sect, a new rival would emerge—seemingly even more threatening than the Green Sword Sect! This was reflected in the fast increase in the Li family’s strength! In less than ten years, they had gained another Golden Core, and although not many, Foundation Establishment cultivators were scarce due to the lack of Foundation Establishment Pills. Even so, two Foundation Establishment cultivators had arisen. As for the Qi Cultivation cultivators, it goes without saying—their numbers have not just increased by tens, but have multiplied many times over! How could the Yuanming Sect be at ease with a Li family with such potential next door? It’s just a pity that the Li family had already become formidable. Although still not as powerful as the Yuanming Sect, they were no longer easy to deal with. Thinking of this, Jiang Tianming felt a deep regret. If he had known this would happen, he should have seized the opportunity when Li Shiqing was injured to join forces with Mingling and kill him, eliminating future troubles. After the toasts and merriment, Li Shilian was about to speak when a Golden Core from Shen Leishan suddenly said, "If you are not in a hurry, dearest fellows, perhaps we could first take a look at the congratulatory gift from our sect?" Li Shiqing and Li Shilian frowned slightly upon hearing this—what was Shen Leishan trying to do? Moreover, it gave both of them an uneasy feeling. Yet they couldn’t very well refuse and had to instruct someone to open the gift from Shen Leishan. "This is..." The expressions of Li Shiqing and the others shifted slightly, and envy could be seen in the eyes of others from Foundation Establishment powers—nobody had expected Shen Leishan to send such an item to the Li family. Foundation Establishment Spiritual Medicine! And a whole ten portions of Foundation Establishment Spiritual Medicine were sent! "Hearing that the Li family lacks Foundation Establishment Pills, yet given the great demand of Sect Disciples, it’s really not feasible to directly provide Spirit Pills. So, it’s better to send some Spiritual Medicine and let fellow Taoist refine them on your own," someone said. The Golden Core Cultivator suddenly asked, "Speaking of which, where is the Li family junior who refines Foundation Establishment Pills?" "Thank you for the Supreme Ancestor’s kind intentions." Then Li Shiqing explained, "He had some insights a while ago and is currently in secluded cultivation." Hearing this, the Golden Core Cultivator nodded without saying much more, as if it was just a casual mention. Li Shiqing’s eyes narrowed slightly, sensing that Shen Leishan wanted to incite conflict between the Li family and the Yuanming Sect! Although the strength of both families was far inferior to Shen Leishan and posed no threat to its status, it was still necessary to have some checks and balances in place. The previous conflict between Yuanming Sect and the Green Sword Sect probably involved Shen Leishan, although it was unexpected that the Li family would suddenly emerge and join forces to annihilate the Green Sword Sect. Jiang Tianming, who was nearby, also grasped this point, but his expression remained very calm, obviously having anticipated this development. While everyone harbored their own thoughts, Li Shilian stepped forward to start his lecture on Earth-based Spells and his insights into them. Since it was a symbolic lecture, it ended after half an hour. This also signified that the banquet was drawing to a close, and under the lead of Shen Leishan’s Golden Core Cultivator, everyone gradually got up to leave. To facilitate the inspection of the congratulatory gifts from various powers, Li Shiqing and other high-ranking family members went to the main hall and soon tallied them up, with the vast majority being second-order Spiritual Objects. Yuanming Sect had sent a comparatively ordinary third-order Spiritual Object, but the most valuable, of course, was the ten portions of Foundation Establishment Spiritual Medicine sent by Shen Leishan. "It seems that Shen Leishan does not wish to see Yuanming Sect continue to expand," Li Shilian remarked with a sigh. Discover more content at novelhall.Côm After annexing the Green Sword Sect, Yuanming Sect had already occupied the southeast corner. If it were to take over the Li family’s territory as well, then the entire southeast direction would be dominated by just their power alone, which Shen Leishan would never allow. And now, the only power in the southeast capable of stopping Yuanming Sect was the Li family, so naturally Shen Leishan would lend a hand. "The strength of Yuanming Sect is still greater than that of our family; it’s best not to confront them directly," Li Zhizhun frowned and said. He had originally thought that after Li Shilian’s breakthrough, if not decimating Yuanming Sect, at least the Li family could communicate with it on equal terms. However, it now appeared the Li family would still be somewhat inferior. If it were just this, that would be one thing, since both powers were wary of each other and presumably would not cause too much conflict. But Shen Leishan couldn’t bear to see the two ’coexist peacefully.’ Everyone’s expressions turned slightly bitter. Who could have thought that Jiang Tianming, who hadn’t shown his face in many years, would bring them such a ’surprise’? "Enough of this matter for now; we’ll discuss it further in the future," Li Shiqing shook his head. No matter how much they discussed, it was useless; they still had to see how Yuanming Sect would react. He then said, "Now we should discuss how to deal with these ten portions of Foundation Establishment Spiritual Medicine." "Aren’t we waiting for Zhirui to come out of seclusion and have him refine them?" Li Shilian and the others looked at Li Shiqing, puzzled. Li Shiren spoke up, "Zhirui managed to refine the Foundation Establishment Pill last time; he will surely succeed this time as well, and the quantity might even increase."

Chapter 183 - 189: Instigate

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